due to Datz's cancer diagnosis. Stearns was named the Mariners' third base coach for the 2014 season. However, Stearns underwent surgery for a hiatal hernia prior to spring training and his slower-than-expected recovery compelled him to resign on March 7, 2014. He remained in the Mariners' organization, however, as a scout for the 2014 season. After attending a memorial service for his high school baseball coach in 2015, he said he was not sure how he would be involved with baseball again. Also in 2015, Stearns was interviewed at length in the book The Seventh Year Stretch: New York Mets, 1977-1983, by author Greg Prato. Personal life Stearns and his wife, Martha Jo, married after the 1977 season. They had a son, named Justin. In July 2022, Stearns was diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer. Despite his diagnosis, Stearns was well enough to attend the Mets' Old Timers' Day at Citi Field on August 27. Stearns died of cancer on September 15, 2022, less than three weeks later, at the age of 71. Career statistics References External links John Stearns at Baseball Almanac John Stearns at Baseball Library John Stearns at Ultimate Mets Database 1951 births 2022 deaths All-American college baseball players Baseball players from Denver Cincinnati Reds scouts Colorado Buffaloes baseball players Colorado Buffaloes football players Deaths from cancer in Colorado Deaths from prostate cancer Denver Zephyrs players Major League Baseball broadcasters Major League Baseball catchers Major League Baseball first base coaches Major League Baseball third base coaches National League All-Stars New York Mets coaches New York Mets players New York Mets scouts New York Yankees coaches Norfolk Tides managers Binghamton Mets managers Philadelphia Phillies players Reading Phillies players Rocky Mount Phillies players Seattle Mariners coaches Seattle Mariners scouts Sportspeople from Denver Tidewater Tides players Toledo Mud Hens players Washington Nationals coaches